The Elusive Pimpernel

Baroness Orczy (1865-1947) was initially born in Hungary but raised throughout Europe. She was educated in Brussels, London, Paris and Budapest where she studied creative arts. In 1899, Orczy would publish her first novel entitled, The Emperor's Candlesticks. It wasn't a massive success but led to more writing opportunities including a series of detective stories. A few years later, she wrote and produced a stage play called The Scarlet Pimpernel, which she'd later adapt into a novel. It went on to become her most famous work and is considered a literary masterpiece of the twentieth century.